Abstract

Explains the approach adopted at the University of Reading Library to support newly-qualified librarians working towards chartered membership of The Library Association at a time of rapid change. The new professionals are appointed on three-year contracts as trainee liaison librarians with subject responsibilities, but also each assigned a specialist role in a technical or service process team within the Library’s matrix structure, which gives them broadly-based experience, including supervision and budget management. The trainees are assigned personal mentors, allocated individual development budgets, and offered study leave to complete their professional development reports. They participate in a structured programme of monthly group discussions in their first year, in addition to the Library’s ongoing staff development programme of weekly training hours and other events. Outlines the content of the monthly chartership discussion sessions and the modular structure of the weekly training hour programme.